Advice

Expert advice to help you get the most out of stargazing, from DIY projects to practical astronomy tips.

What to see in the night sky tonight. Credit: Carlos Fernandez / Getty Images

Stargazing What to see in the night sky this month

Dominic Reardon captured this image of Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF on 25/26 January 2023 from Arnside, Cumbria, UK. Equipment: Nikon D500 camera, Sigma 150-500 f/5-6.3 lens, iOptron Skyguider Pro & William Optics base.

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) Observe the comet throughout January 2023

The Plough / Ursa Major. Credit: Christophe Lehenaff / Getty Images

How to see Dubhe, one of the Plough’s pointer stars

How to photograph a comet. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Astrophotography guides

How to photograph a comet

Orions Belt by John Harding, Sheffield, S. Yorkshire, UK. Equipment: Pentax KR DLSR

6 deep-sky objects to see in Orion’s Belt and Sword

A photo of Muscida in Ursa Major, captured by the Digitized Sky Survey (archive.eso.org/dss/dss)

Spot star Muscida, the nose of the Great Bear, Ursa Major

Illustration of the constellation Gemini

Castor and Pollux, the twin stars of Gemini

Kieron Vernon, Coventry, UK, 11 July 2020. Equipment: Sony a7III camera, Sigma 24-70mm lens, ISO 800, 20x6”.

Observing guide What comets and asteroids are in the sky tonight?

Towards the end of February 2023, Venus and Jupiter appear to be closing in on one another ahead of their closest separation of 38 arcminutes on 1 March. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide See Jupiter and Venus in the sky throughout February

best tabletop telescopes

Best tabletop telescopes, 2023

A family with young children observing the night sky through a telescope

Top tips for helping your family and kids use a telescope

Credit: abriendomundo / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Buyer's guide Best telescopes for astrophotography

Display and share your telescope view on a laptop for everyone to enjoy

How to get your telescope view on a laptop or computer screen

The final, corrected image of the Monkey Head and Jellyfish Nebulae. ‘Background Gradient’ and ‘Rounds Stars’ from Georg Hennig’s suite of astronomy plug-ins removed vignetting, flattened the background and refined the stars.

Astrophotography guides

Fix uneven backgrounds and bloated stars in astrophotos

A good telescope combined with excellent viewing conditions away from light pollution will give you incredible views of the night sky. Credit: iStock

Amateur astronomy societies in the UK and Ireland: a guide